William Hill has signed a partnership with one of the England’s classics to become the official betting partner. The deal lasts for five years and means the Investec Derby Festival will benefit from the company’s vast experience in the gambling industry. They value it so much that they are handling mobile betting through their own Epsom Downs iPhone App!
Ralph Topping, Chief Executive of William Hill, commented, “We have been impressed with Epsom’s intent to work together in partnership to grow betting revenues around the Investec Derby Festival. The Derby is a historical and much-loved event and it deserves its mantle as the uppermost of all Flat races within the calendar. We are confident that over time this commercial arrangement will see us drive turnover upwards, to provide even greater returns for Racing and punters.’’
The partnership will see a cross-promotion across the two brands and betting available via the humbled betting shop, on some zany contraption called a computer using the interweb, and a micro site at www.theroadtothederby.co.uk. This is in addition to the Epsom Downs iPhone app.
Rupert Trevelyan, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse, added, “We are delighted to partner with William Hill to introduce arguably the most innovative betting platform seen in British racing. With the world’s greatest flat race, the Investec Derby, and exciting races including the Investec Oaks, Coronation Cup and Dash, the Investec Derby Festival provides plenty of opportunities for this partnership to build on.
“William Hill’s markets itself as ‘The Home of Betting’ and as the world’s biggest bookmaker including the UK’s largest high street shop estate, we believe they are the right partner to help promote the Investec Derby Festival, including the lead-up to its feature races and trials in years to come.”
All it calls for now is for Betfair or Paddy Power to come up with some kind of sabotage marketing activity. Will we see the return of the Paddy Power Hollywood sign? We certainly hope so!
